100% Oases & Desert Tour
You will leave for the gates of the desert. You will have the opportunity to find and admire rock carvings , visit oases , sleep in camps in the middle of the dunes and cross a dry lake several kilometers long. Welcome to Souss Massa!
Day 01
1 hour 25 mins / 85 km
From Agadir, head in the direction of Taroudant which you will reach in 1 hour. There are several possible routes (N10 or P1708 or P1714). Arriving near Taroudant, there is the possibility of discovering to the south of the city, the Oasis of Tioute (30.391681, -8.700142) before visiting the Medina and touring the ramparts of Taroudant at day’s end.
Points of interest:
- Visit of Taroudant (tour of the ramparts on foot, by bike or in a horse-drawn carriage).
- Palm grove of Tioute.
Day 02
4 h ours 10 mins / 265 km
From Taroudant, take the P1706 to Aoulouz, then take the N10 back to Taliouine. In Taliouine, plan to stop at a cooperative to understand the importance of the traditional culture of Saffron (the region changes color at harvest time in October) and admire the Kasbah of Glaoui . After Taliouine, turn right (30.471271, -7.842794), then you have the possibility of seeing the superb granaries of Ifri Imadidene (30.445333, -7.839028). Then continue, by road P1743, to the Oasis of Akka Ighane. In Akka Ighane, head north for the Oasis of Aguinane where you can spend the night (30.206741, -7.561984). The access route is a succession of viewpoints including the fortified village of Adkhs : 30.124472, -7.464598. There is also the possibility of accessing Aguinane by a road arriving from the north (30.366314, -7.760568), the descent towards Aguinane is breathtaking.
Points of interest:
- Kasbah of Taliouine (city of saffron)
- Granary of Ifri Imadidene
- Akka Ighane Oasis
- Adkhs Village
Day 03
2 hours 10 mins / 125 km
From the Aguinane Oasis, take the Akka Ighane road again, then continue on the P1743 road to join the N12 further ahead. The fortified villages of Tissekmoudine (29.963018, -7.551340) and Agadir Aserghine (29.948410, -7.565535) are to be best appreciated in the middle of their palm groves. After these visits, at the junction with the N12, turn left – direction Foum Zguid to join the Iriki National Park which you can reach from the trail starting at point (30.060216, -6.869288). Remember to organize your stay in Iriqui National Park, by contacting the various camps on offer. You will sleep in the dunes, an unforgettable experience!
Points of interest:
- Akka Ighane Oasis
- Tissekmoudine village
- Agadir village Aserghine
- Tissint waterfalls / Charles de Foucauld house
- Iriqui National Park / Bivouac
Day 04
3 hours 30 mins / 280 km
Coming back from Iriqui National Park, head in the direction of Tata. In Tata , a multitude of oases surround the city, go for a walk or bike ride. In Agadir Lehna, you will discover an irrigation system (khettara) and water management (clepsydra) which are the secrets of the fragile balance of oasis life. The women of the oasis, grouped together in a cooperative, can teach you to prepare, at their side, a delicious recipe or show you techniques for making crafts.
South of Tata, a stopover at Mellah de Tazart (29.663928, -7.939902) is recommended. Do not hesitate to access it and explore it (on foot or by car). Then take the N12 road south. Before arriving in Akka, the site of Oum El Alek (29.332743, -8.185968) exhibits its rock engravings. When you arrive in Akka, take an immediate right to visit the village of Agadir Ouzrou (29.419414, -8.247846), a renovated fortified village, built on a cliff. Following this same road, (7 km) turn left at the crossroads for the square-shaped Minaret of the old mosque ” Lalla Baytou Allah ” of the Kasbah of Agadir Amghar (29.435706, -8.267209).
Do not hesitate to stroll in the Akka palm grove which seems to be a mirage compared to the little water available. Palm trees are everywhere. The gardens surround the houses built to protect the inhabitants from the heat. After visiting Akka, head in the direction of Icht via the N12. You can take a trail off to the right at Ait Ouabelli (29.229168, -8.535435). This trail takes you to the typical village of Tadakoust at the foot of the rocks. You have the possibility of returning to Icht, either by the N12, or by a trail on your right (29.229168, -8.535435) along the mountain range – southwestbound.
You will arrive at Icht – at the entrance of the Borj Biramane hostel. This trail is accessible and very beautiful. There awaits a real playground for children (oases, mountains, tracks, hiking, mountain biking). At the end of the day, go in search of rock engravings to the northwest of Icht. Depart from Borj Birmane (Icht), drive up the paved road (head north) for 190 meters to find a trail on the left which takes you to the dam (4.3 km). Ask the guard to show you the way (right bank of the Oued).
Points of interest:
- Tata Oases
- Akka Oasis / Agadir Ouzrou / Almohade Minaret
- Village of Tadakoust
- Rock engravings
Day 05
2 hours 15 mins / 110 km
If you have time, take a stroll through the oases of the Tamanart Valley and the surrounding mountains, the scenery is yours. Nearby, you have the possibility of visiting the fortified granaries and the Amtoudi gorges (29.246776, -9.184962). From Icht, take the R107 at point (29.133069, -8.965409) northbound until Tafraoute. Going up towards Tafraoute , you will quickly realize that you are on one of the most beautiful roads in Morocco.
Points of interest:
- Amtoudi granaries
- Walk in the palm grove villages (Tamanart Valley)
- Ait Mansour gorges
Day 06
2 hours
You will have to spend at least a full day in Tafraoute. The center and the market are easily visited on foot or by bicycle. At an altitude of 1,000 meters, Tafraoute is surrounded by blocks of pink granite. Everything is easily accessible. Go see the sunrise or sunset at the Painted Rocks. The Gorges of Ait Mansour (35 km) and the villages of Aday or Aguerd Oudad are open to you. Organize a hike in the Amelnn Valley or to Jbel Lkest (from Tagdicht). The region is also known for its climbing sites . Don’t worry, there is something for all skill levels.
Points of interest:
- Discovery of Tafraoute (Souk)
- Hiking in the Ammeln Valley
- Painted Rocks / Ait Mansour Gorges
- Aday village
Day 07
2 hours 50 mins / 165 km
From Tafraoute, you also have the possibility of returning to Agadir via the city of Tiznit. The route goes through the Col du Kerdous (R104). On this same road, it is possible to make a detour to Anzi (29.656166, -9.363039), the land of the dragon trees (extremely rare tree endemic to the region). Once you arrive at Tiznit, you can stop there (Visit of the Medina / Souk of the jewelers) or push on towards the coast (Aglou), before returning to Agadir. Another option is to return to Agadir via the R105 with a visit to the magnificent Kasbah of Tizourgane where you can stop. Several fortified granaries are nearby: Imchguiguiln 30.094359, -9.164338 Ikounka 30.113939, -9.200916 Innoumar 30.163250, -9.108944 Ait Alla 30.148350, -9.179983
Points of interest:
- Return via the Col du Kerdous and Visit of the Medina of Tiznit
- Return via the Kasbah of Tizourgane / Fortified granaries
